Since October last year, each photographer had been developing a “dream project” with the aid of £1,500 funding and mentoring sessions with Magnum photographers and industry professionals.

The judges admired the ambition of Souvid Datta's project, which looks at the human cost of pollution in China. Bruno Ceschel was impressed by the way Datta had been inspired to explore the project after a friend suffered the effects of China's pollution problem. “A story that is personal to him prompted him to embark on a big issue,” Bruno said. "Using his own experience in this way made the project less abstract and more powerful."

Uganda is one of the toughest places in the world to be gay – all the more so since the 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act was passed. Continuing themes in his previous work, Lee Price travelled to Uganda to document the situation for gay people there. Anne Bourgeois-Vignon described the project as “a delicately conceived body of work with a subtle approach to dealing with a very difficult topic”, noting that “his video work really stood out.”

Abbie Trayler-Smith has been working on 'The Big O', a project exploring childhood obesity, for four years – but with the funding she has taken it in new directions, working with more young people. “Her work was photographically very strong, and done in a sensitive, heartfelt way with huge respect for her subjects,” said Olivia Arthur.

Applications for the 2014 Photographic Award are now open. This year we have extended the submissions to include global photographers of any age. Applications are open until 17th July.

Magnum Photos is a photographic cooperative of great diversity and distinction owned by its photographer members. With powerful individual vision, Magnum photographers chronicle the world and interpret its peoples, events, issues and personalities.